Three days later, Hermione shuffled out of her room in a simple summer dress of a soft purple, hearing a knock at her door. Slowly, she reached the portrait hole and smiled, seeing Ginny standing there. "Gin!"

"Mione! How are you? You look positively disheveled."

Hermione chuckled, pulling the younger witch into her arms, "I wasn't expecting visitors but felt I needed to put on proper clothes for the first time in days. This was as far as I got. What are you doing here? Not that I am not pleased to see you."

"I came to talk of wedding news and deliver your dress to you!" She held up a garment bag, "Mum told me it would be better to bring it to you. She also told me I'm going to be an aunt?"

Hermione grinned, "You are."

"But you're still divorcing Ron?"

"I am."

"Good! He is a right prat for cheating on you and after what mum and Harry said...I wanted to hex him, Mione. I should have but mum stopped me."

Hermione pulled her friend down to the couch with her, sending her dress to her closet with a wave of her hand. "You needn't waste the effort. So what wedding news are you here to bestow on me?" she asked, her grin returning.

"Poppy says you'll be back to normal come this weekend," Hermione nodded, "Good! Will you still be there?"

"Of course I will, Gin! Nothing could keep me away. I was planning to be there early to help you get ready, I'll be flooing over with Remus and Teddy."

They talked about the current itinerary for that morning before Ginny left, claiming to need to deliver a few last-minute invitations and check in on Teddy. When she was gone, Hermione walked into her room and tried on her dress for the wedding. It was tailored to her perfectly, and she was silently thankful that the wedding was in two weeks and not two months, or she wouldn't have fit in it. Redressing, she opted instead for loose-fitted sleeping pants and an old long-sleeved shirt. She left her hair in its tangled knot and started in towards the living room when she heard a commotion.

Her brow furrowed as she stepped out of her room but smiled, seeing Scorpius waddle unsteadily between his father's legs, desperately holding onto his fingers. He took a few steps and stumbled, leaving Draco to help ease him up again so he could continue his attempts.

"Drake? Scorpius?"

"Mi!"

Scorpius let go of his father's hands and wobbled towards her, only to fall sharply on his hands and knees and let out a wail. Hermione was lightening quick despite her aching muscles and scooped him up.

"Hello, little serpent, I've missed you." His cries stopped the moment she had him in her arms.

"Mia, should you be carrying him?" Draco scolded, his mouth set in a grim line.

"Poppy said I am fine. I would be starting classes again if it weren't Saturday. Which, in turn, explains what you're doing here, doesn't it?"

Draco merely grinned. "You are glowing, Mia."

"Stop," she waved him off and started towards her overstuffed chair. "I still feel like I've been run over by a hippogriff, and I know I don't look much better."

He sat on the couch beside her, "I'm excited for you. And with Severus's potions, I have no doubt you'll be just fine."

Hermione rolled her eyes and looked at Severus, still hovering by the door, "Must you tell him everything?" He cracked a smile, "Come sit down, Severus."

He did as she bade and summoned a tea tray. Hermione set Scorpius on the floor, warding the fire to keep him from it and conjuring toys for him while Severus fixed the tea. Only when she knew Scorpius was settled did she ease back into her seat. Severus passed Draco his cup and Hermione leaned forward to grab hers. As she touched the porcelain, a wave of magic washed over her, and her wedding rings fell off her fingers.

She sat back wide-eyed and looked at her bare hand as a smile slowly stretched across her face. Looking up, she saw Severus watching her with a slight smile, his eyes dark, masking his true emotions.

Draco clapped his hands together loudly, "There it is!" Hermione smiled at him brightly but it became a frown when he wiggled his eyebrows. "Do you know what this means, Mia?"

"On no Drake. Don't start," she said as she finally grabbed her tea.

"You said I had to wait until your divorce was final and it is!"

"Just now! And things have changed," she rested her now bare hand on her still-flat stomach.

But he shook his head, "I don't think so. Yeah, you're pregnant, but Weasel signed away his rights, did he not?" Hermione paled. "Didn't he?"

Hermione started to shake, "He never sent me new papers. Oh Gods," she stood up and started pacing between Scorpius and the fire. "He will never see this baby! It doesn't need him as a father."

She kept rambling, ignoring Severus and Draco as they tried to calm her. A ministry owl at her window eventually pulled her from her disconnected rambling.

Draco reached it first and let it swoop into the room. Severus got it a treat from the kitchen while Hermione stood frozen. He untied the missive from its leg and moved back to the living room. When he tried to hand it to her, she shook her head.

"Hermione, you need to read it."

"I-I can't," she shook her head faster. "Will you read it for me, Severus? Please.."

He frowned but broke the wax seal. He read over it quickly before his lips turned up slightly.

"Severus..."

"He withdrew his rights to any child that came from your marriage."

Hermione sobbed, "Truly?"

"Yes," he grinned, passing her the missive.

Hermione read it three times before falling back into her chair, her hand on her abdomen. Her head lulled back and she couldn't keep the smile off her face. "We're free."

"That you are Mia. How does it feel?"

Hermione took a deep breath in, "Amazing." Opening her eyes, she saw Draco back in his spot on her couch and Severus in the chair across from her. "Absolutely amazing." Scorpius chose that moment to pull himself up on her chair and try to climb into her lap. She pulled him up and let him cuddle to her neck.

"Now we can get to finding your perfect wizard."

Both Hermione and Severus rolled their eyes at Draco's words. But Hermione found she couldn't look at Severus as she spoke, "I'm pregnant, Drake. What wizard wants to start a relationship with a newly divorced and pregnant witch?"

"I think you should let them decide that."

"Them?" she narrowed her gaze at him as he grinned. "And let's not forget that this," she waved her hand around her abdomen, "is close to a miracle. I almost lost it, quicker than last time. Even if a wizard accepts the baby, how would they feel knowing it would be highly unlikely that I would be able to give them one of their own? Do you honestly think someone could be content raising another man's child with no hope of having their own?"

"You are much too hard on yourself and others of my gender. I'm sure you are aware of blood adoptions," Hermione nodded, "That is all it would take and your child would be his completely, in name and by blood."

Hermione pursed her lips and looked into the fire. "Will you just drop it, Drake? Please."

"Tell me why you're so determined that this won't work. The wizard I've chosen for you will be perfect." Still looking into the fire, she missed the glare Severus sent towards his godson.

"Because Drake, what of what I want?" Draco was silent when she looked back at them, as was Severus. "What I want is unattainable and I would rather not be paraded around to suitors you deem appropriate."

"Y-you have someone in mind."

Hermione looked back into the fire, "It doesn't matter." She shook herself, "Will you be at Harry's wedding Drake?"

He nodded, "I've been asked to take Weasel's place as his best mate." Her eyebrows went up, "Shocking, I know. But Scorpius and I will both be there."

"Severus?"

The man in question scoffed, "I received an invitation."

Hermione laughed, "That is not an answer."

"I may."

"You should consider it," she stood cradling Scorpius to her. "If you don't mind me, I am exhausted, more so than I expected." She made to give Scorpius to his father, but Draco held up his hand.

"Would you mind keeping him? I wanted to run to Hogsmeade with Severus for lunch, and while I don't mind taking Scorp with me, he's already asleep. You could both use the nap."

Hermione frowned, "You're sure?" He nodded and began getting up. "Alright. Severus clearly knows how to get in," she pursed her lips at the wizard in question, who grinned at her in return, "if I don't answer. Or you can send Dotty. Would you pick me up a new ink well while you're out? I am out of red."

"That is easily attainable," Severus spoke. "I told you grading dunderheads papers was anything but relaxing. Go sleep, Miss Granger, don't forget your potions. We'll be back soon enough."

She was already on her way to her bedroom door when he spoke, "I already took them, Professor. Have a good lunch, gentlemen."

She disappeared into her room before she could hear their reply and quickly curled into bed, wrapped around Scorpius, who in turn tucked himself into her chest. When she woke up hours later, she panicked momentarily, feeling the cold space in the bed beside her, but calmed as her finger touched a piece of cool parchment.

Draco has him. You looked too peaceful, I didn't want to wake you.

~SS

Two weeks later, on October 31st, Hermione found herself scrambling through the floo and into the Burrow. Molly had already sent three patronuses proclaiming her late. She spent hours helping decorate, cook, and keep everyone calm. When it was all done, Molly ushered the young witches upstairs with orders to get ready.

Which is how Hermione ended up standing in front of a giant charmed three-way mirror in her perfectly fitted navy blue dress. It had a sweetheart neckline with a lace overlay that reached up to her bare shoulders, down her exposed back and arms three-fourths of the way. The shirt blossomed from the fitted top and playfully brushed the tops of her knees that she paired with tall nude heels. Ginny had charmed her hair into an elegant braided updo that rested at the nape of her neck. She smiled to herself and turned to face the judgment of the bride, who was bouncing excitedly on her tiptoes, "You look stunning, Mione!"

"Thank you," she smiled, smoothing out invisible wrinkles. "I'll go get Molly, she wants to be the one to help you into your dress."

"Do me a favor?" Hermione arched an eyebrow in question and she continued, "Go help Harry. He's still miserable at tying his tie, and he probably needs you more than I do right now."

"Of course. I'll make sure he is at the end of the aisle waiting for you." She winked and snuck out the door only to come face to face with Molly, who smiled brightly upon seeing her. "She's ready to get dressed. I'm going to check on Harry."

Molly all but ran into the room, and Hermione snickered, hearing the woman squeak in happiness. Heading down the stairs, Hermione shook her head, seeing the living room closed off by doors that were not there before.

She figured the men would be the ones to claim a bigger room, and she chuckled to herself as she knocked.

Draco wrenched open the door and sighed heavily. "He's freaking out."

"I can help if you let me in."

"But um..not everyone is ready," Draco blushed slightly.

"I have seen men before Draco. And unfortunately, I have seen more of most of the men in that room than I care to admit. Let me in."

He shrugged and opened the door enough for her to step around him but she stopped short in the doorway. Harry was pacing in front of the window, fiddling with his tie, his hair a complete, tangled mess. Sirius lay shirtless on the couch, eyes closed with a smirk on his face. Draco himself was pantless, clad only in his boxers. Severus sat in an armchair with Scorpius on his lap, bouncing him on his knee to keep him occupied.

"Honestly, you lot are helpless." Sirius's grin widened and Harry spun to face her. "You," she pointed at Draco, "put your bloody pants on. You," she pointed at Sirius, who had risen as she started issuing orders, "put your shirt on and run a comb through that hair." The bathroom door opened and Remus stepped out with a towel around his waist. Hermione groaned, "And you get dressed! Merlin, the ceremony is in 30 minutes! How is it that you had to commandeer the entire living room but can't even get ready properly? Where's Teddy?"

"The twins were supposed to get him ready," Remus answered her.

She huffed and walked to the conjured doors, "Fred! George! Bring Teddy, please!" It took no more than two seconds for the pair to appear with the young boy in tow. They made an entrance, setting off a dung bomb as they swung open the door. Hermione was prepared for it. She cleared the air before glaring at them, "Boys, seriously? Your sister would have your hide if she knew you were doing this."

Both of the twins just gave her their best boyish grins. "It's just a bit of fun, Mione."

"Plus, that's what our other sister is for."

Fred picked her up and swirled her around, George kissed her forehead when his twin released her. She grinned but shook her head at their antics and scooped up Teddy, "You, little wolf, need to get dressed. Where's his jumper?" she asked the twins.

"On the table," George answered her.

She summoned the garment with another huff while setting Teddy in the armchair opposite Severus, "Here, love, put this on for me." Begrudgingly, Teddy started pulling on his jumper, and she turned back to the twins. She stalked up to Fred while shaking her head and ran her fingers through his hair before moving to George and brushing dirt off his cheek. "Shouldn't you be showing guests their seats?"

The pair laughed and planted a kiss on each of her cheeks before dashing out of the doors towards the kitchen and presumably the backyard.

With the twins gone, Hermione finally turned to look at Harry with a smile. "Now you," she walked up to him, "Talk to me."

"Mione, I'm terrified," he whispered as she approached.

Sirius chuckled and she whirled on him, throwing a pillow at him in the process, "Were you this helpful with James?"

"Au contraire, Kitten, James didn't freak out like this." She huffed. "Did you freak out?"

Hermione rolled her eyes, "I hardly think that matters since my marriage failed miserably." Sirius winced and she turned back to Harry with a smile. "Calm down love." She took his tie from him, "You love her and have wanted this for ages. Can you picture yourself with anyone else?" Harry shook his head, "Exactly. She is who you kept at arm's length during the war to keep her safe. Who you dreamt of every night while we were on the run. You tried to love her from afar, she was someone you yearned for but never expected to obtain since she was your best mates sister. Someone you considered out of your grasp. But her pull was too strong and you have her. Now you get to be with her every day for the rest of your life. Wake up next to her and make her smile every day." She looked up at him and he wiped a tear from her cheek. "Don't be scared, love. You have what most people only dream of."

"Is she nervous?"

"Heavens no," she laughed, "it's Ginny! She's been pinning after you since she saw you on the platform when she was ten. She's practically euphoric!"

She turned and paused, seeing Draco, Sirius, and Remus all grinning at her. Severus looked at her with his fathomless black eyes, always searching for something within her. They all looked the same as before, except for Remus, who now wore pants.

"Merlin, get dressed!" she hollered, grabbing a comb off the table and turning back to Harry. She made his hair more manageable, ushered him onto the couch beside Severus, and turned on him.

"Hello, my serpent," she said just before her eyes fell from his and on Scorpius. He reached for her and she pried him from Severus's grip easily. Swinging him around, she placed him in Harry's lap. "Distract yourself. Breathe."

Harry visibly took a deep breath before he began to entertain Scorpius.

Hermione turned to Sirius and picked the comb back up.

"Oi! Kitten, get away from me with that."

"Sirius Black, you will let me tame this hair willingly, or I will put you in a body bind and do it," she warned. He met her eyes in challenge for a moment before motioning for her to continue. When his hair was combed, she gave him an approving nod and turned to Draco. He grinned at her as she changed his tie back to gold instead of green. "Nice try, snake." He laughed and she turned on Remus just to give him an approving nod.

"Oh gods..." Harry blanched as he stared at Scorpius.

"What?" she asked as she moved to sit on the armrest of Teddy's chair so she could comb his hair too.

"What if she gets pregnant?"

Hermione couldn't help the laugh that left her, "It is a distinct possibility when you have sex, love. I'm honestly surprised you're only just now thinking about that."

He looked at her with wide eyes, "What kind of father would I be? I never had a real father figure, just my Uncle Vernon and Sirius."

Hermione snorted, "I won't count Sirius as a father figure."

"Oi!"

"Hush, you mutt," she grinned at him, earning a smirk in return.

"But Mione, I would ruin a child! I don't know how to be a father, I never had a proper example."

"Oh posh!" she exclaimed irritably, catching all of their attention as if she didn't have it already, "All the men in this room, par Remus, had horrible father figures, and they all turned into excellent men." She paused and looked at Sirius, her head tilted to the side before smirking, "Most of them anyway." Sirius snorted, and she smiled as she turned back to Harry, "In all seriousness, they've all become greater men than their fathers, and I have no doubt they would all make excellent fathers. You will be no different, even though you were raised by that pompous ass." Standing, she searched for her wand, ignoring the curious looks she was getting from them all, before remembering she left it upstairs, "Accio. Plus, you helped raise Teddy and did just fine. And despite how terrified you look now, you've always been great with Scorpius."

Her wand flew into her hand and Hermione began lifting the hem of her skirt.

"Kitten, you're in a room full of men, you know," Sirius announced cheekily.

She rolled her eyes, putting her wand in the garter on her mid-thigh, but her blush was unstoppable, "Men who have seen women before as I have seen men. I came in here with three of you mostly undressed. It's not like a bit of leg is going to kill you lot." The skirt of her dress fell back in place, and she began smoothing out the invisible wrinkles, trying to ignore the feeling of being watched.

Se-Stop, she reprimanded herself.

"Why not a wand pocket, Mia?"

"I have hidden pockets in the dress, but I prefer my wand to be more accessible than that."

"And under your dress does that how?"

She looked at Draco curiously before noticing the others in the room looked equally confused. Chuckling she put her hand at her side, her wand came through her skirt and into her hand effortlessly.

"Magic, gentlemen, magic," dismissing her wand, it returned to her leg without needing to lift her skirt, "I just needed to place it first."

Sirius looked perplexed as he shook his head, "Witches.."

He yelped as a stinging hex hit his arm, and she smirked. "Come on, love," she offered her hand to Teddy, who took it eagerly, "You too," she motioned to Harry, "We need to get this wedding going. Provided you have no more worries?"

"No worries, no cold feet," he grinned as he stood, her pep-talk having had its desired effect.

"Good," she smirked.